Swivel mount for board bindings

ABSTRACT

A swivel mount for a board binding of the present invention includes a base mountable to an upper surface of a board, and a swivel plate rotatably mounted on the base for relative swivelling rotation of the swivel plate relative to the base between a ride position and forward-walking positions. When the swivel plate is in the ride position the binding is oriented generally perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the board. When the swivel plate is in the forward-walking positions, the binding is oriented to point a user&#39;s forward foot in the binding toward a front end of the board so as to generally form an acute angle between the binding and the longitudinal axis of the board. A rotational resistance device cooperates between the swivel plate and the base for increasing rotational resistance above that of free-floating rotation but without locking of the swivel plate in a preset locking position when swivelling the swivel plate through the radial arc of the forward-walking positions. A ride position latch releasably locks the swivel plate in the ride position relative to the base upon rotational urging by the user&#39;s forward foot so as to return the swivel plate from the forward-walking position to the ride position. An actuator releases the ride position latch when actuated by a force applied in a first direction urging the swivel plate to swivel from said ride position to the forward-walking positions.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a swivel connector for securing footbindings to a snowboard, an in-line wheel-mounted land board or thelike. More particularly, it relates to a swivel connector that willpermit the binding for the forward foot to be swivelled from a normalride position which is angularly disposed relative to the longitudinalcenterline of the snowboard to a position which is substantially alignedwith the longitudinal centerline of the snowboard.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] During the normal use of a riding board such as a snowboard or anin-line wheel-mounted land board, the user places his or her feet infore and aft bindings which are immovably secured to the board. Thebindings are disposed at an angle to the longitudinal centerline of theboard so that of necessity the user must adopt a side-forward stance.For propulsion on relatively flat terrain, for example in, the vicinityof a chairlift loading area, the normal procedure is to disengage therear foot from its binding and to use this foot to propel the board.Since the forward binding holds the users foot and ankle at an angle tothe direction of travel, the user must compensate by twisting theforward knee and the upper body into a face forward stance in order tomaintain a constant direction of travel. Further, while riding on thechairlift, the board is positioned at an awkward and tiring angle fromthe users forward foot.

[0003] In the prior art, applicant is aware of U.S. Pat. No. 6,102,430which issued to Reynolds on May 7, 1998, for a Dual-Locking AutomaticPositioning Interface for a Snowboard Binding. Reynolds teaches a bootbinding frame 20 clamped between a retainer slip disk 26 positioned onan upper surface of a boot binding frame 20 and a swivel ring 28positioned on a lower surface. The boot binding frame 20 is fixedlysecured to swivel ring 28 for rotational movement therewith, while slipdisk 26 is non-rotatively mounted to the snowboard 12. Thus swivel ring28 and the boot binding frame 20 may be rotated relative to bothsnowboard 12 and slip disk 26. Rotation between the respective pieces ispermitted by a disk receptacle or aperture 34 formed in boot bindingframe 20. Since the boot binding frame requires a disk receptacle 34 ofa substantial diameter, retrofitting of the Reynolds device to existingsnowboard boot binding frames would have limited application and themost practicable application would be the purchase of new boot bindingframes specifically designed to cooperate with his device. In thepresent invention the device is adapted for retrofit to existing bindingframes as the components are located beneath the boot binding frameeliminating the need for an equivalent to the disk receptacle 34 ofReynolds, without precluding incorporation of the present invention withnew binding frames.

[0004] Further, the locking mechanism 42 of Reynolds is detached fromeither slip disk 26 or swivel ring 28 and is separately mounted tosnowboard 12. Within locking mechanism 42 a spring urges locking detentcoupler lever 44 into engagement with swivel ring 28. To release lever44 from engagement with the locking detents in swivel ring 28, lever 44is rotated in a direction which is rotationally opposite to thedirection of rotation of the boot binding frame 20 when the frame isrotated toward the walking forward orientation, that is, the so-calledReynolds' soft lock position. Thus, unlike in the present invention, theuser kicking the lever to release the ride position lock does notthereby both unlock the swivel and apply angular momentum to theswivelling of the user's forward foot into the forward-walking position.

[0005] Further, unlike the present invention, operation of the lockingmechanism 42 of Reynolds does not assist the user with repositioning ofboot binding frame 20 according to the terrain or task at hand such asdismounting a lift or against increased resistance caused by snow andice which may tend to clog the swivel mechanism during use. Further,Reynolds has locking positions, including the forward soft lock, whichdoes not provide for the bi-directional range of rotational resistanceof the forward-walking positions of the present invention.

[0006] It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a meansfor overcoming the difficulties encountered while trying to propel aboard on relatively level terrain or in the vicinity of the chairliftboarding and dismount area or for use on a T-bar lift during boarding,dismount and transition.

[0007] A further object of this invention is to provide a swivelconnector for securing the forward binding of a board so that the usermay easily reposition his forward foot from a ride position toforward-walking positions.

SUMMARY

[0008] The swivel mount for a board binding of the present inventionincludes a base mountable to an upper surface of a board, and a swivelplate rotatably mounted on the base for relative swivelling rotation ofthe swivel plate relative to the base between a ride position andforward-walking positions. The swivel plate may be a separate componentfrom the binding or integrally mounted into, or formed as part of thebinding.

[0009] When the swivel plate is in the ride position the binding isoriented generally perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the board.When the swivel plate is in the forward-walking positions, the bindingis oriented to point a user's first foot, for example the forward foot,in the binding toward a front end of the board so as to generally forman acute angle between the binding and the longitudinal axis of theboard. The forward-walking positions extend in a radial arc radiallyspaced from the ride position.

[0010] A non-locking, non free-floating rotational resistance meanscooperates between the swivel plate and the base for increasingrotational resistance above that of free-floating rotation but withoutlocking of the swivel plate in a preset locking position when swivellingthe swivel plate through the radial arc. The rotational resistance meansprovides resistance of a level between free-floating rotation havingsubstantially no resistance to rotation, and locking rotationalresistance requiring unlocking by a user's hand or second foot, forexample the rearward foot, to permit rotation.

[0011] At least one ride position latch is provided for releasablylocking the swivel plate in the ride position relative to the base uponrotational urging by the user's first foot when the first foot is in thebinding or integral with the swivel plate so as to return the swivelplate from the forward walking position to the ride position.

[0012] An actuator is provided for releasing the ride position latch.The actuator is actuated by a force applied by the second foot in afirst direction urging the swivel plate to swivel from said rideposition to the forward-walking positions.

[0013] The actuator may comprise a flexible arm flexibly mounted to theswivel plate. The flexible arm may have a force receiving member at afirst distal end thereof, the first distal end extending generallyradially outwardly of the swivel plate. The ride position latch maycomprise a first pawl mounted on the flexible arm and a detent memberfixedly mounted relative to the upper surface of the board, for examplemounted to the board or to the base. The detent member forms a detent.The first pawl is for releasably engaging the detent so as to releasablylock the swivel plate in the ride position. The flexible arm is actuableby a force applied generally in the first direction so as to flexrelative to the swivel plate to thereby release the pawl from theengagement with the detent.

[0014] Alternatively, the ride position latch may comprise only a detentmember fixedly mounted relative to the upper surface of the board, thedetent member forming a detent, and the flexible arm releasably engagingthe detent so as to releasably lock the swivel plate in the rideposition. The force receiving member, upon receiving a force appliedthereto in the direction of rotation of the swivel plate from the rideposition to the forward-walking positions, flexes the flexible arm so asto disengage the flexible arm from the detent. Where the flexible armflexes in the plane of the swivel plate, the force receiving member maybe a rigid kick plate.

[0015] The force receiving member may be a lever for disengaging theflexible arm from the detent by flexing the flexible arm out of a planecontaining the swivel plate. Such a force receiving member may be arocker arm having a fulcrum engaging an upper surface of the detentmember forming the detent.

[0016] The resistance means may comprise a second pawl and an array ofpawl receivers lying in a rotational trajectory of the second pawl formating with the second pawl.

[0017] The second pawl may be mounted on the swivel plate, and the arrayof pawl receivers may be formed in the base. Alternatively, the secondpawl may be mounted on the base and the array of pawl receivers may beformed in the swivel plate. Further alternatively, the second pawl maybe mounted on the actuator and the array of pawl receivers may be formedon the base. Alternatively, the second pawl may be mounted on the baseand the array of pawl receivers may be formed on the actuator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the swivel mount of the presentinvention mounted on a snowboard in a normal ride position.

[0019]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the swivel mount of FIG. 1 in arotated forward-walking position, substantially aligned with thelongitudinal axis of the snowboard.

[0020]FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of theswivel mount of the present invention.

[0021]FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

[0022]FIG. 5 is a plan view, partially in section, illustrating theswivel mount of FIG. 1.

[0023]FIG. 6 is a plan view, partially in section, of the swivel mountof FIG. 2.

[0024]FIG. 7 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of thepresent invention.

[0025]FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken on line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

[0026]FIG. 9 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of thepresent invention.

[0027]FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken on line 10-10 of FIG. 9.

[0028]FIG. 11 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of thepresent invention.

[0029]FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken on line 12-12 of FIG. 11.

[0030]FIG. 13 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of thepresent invention.

[0031]FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken on line 14-14 of FIG. 13.

[0032]FIG. 15 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0033]FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of the rotation arresting device ofFIG. 15.

[0034]FIG. 17 is a plan view, partially cut-away, illustrating thealternative rotation arresting device of FIG. 15 incorporated into abinding of a snowboard.

[0035]FIG. 18 is an isometric view illustrating an alternative means forsecuring the swivel plate lever in the ride position.

[0036]FIG. 19 is a sectional view taken on line 19-19 of FIG. 18.

[0037]FIG. 20 is a partial front view of a snowboard binding,illustrating one form of spring actuated braking lever.

[0038]FIG. 21 is an isometric view of an alternative form of springactuated braking lever.

[0039]FIG. 22 is an enlarged isometric view of the alternative form ofspring actuated braking lever of FIG. 21.

[0040]FIG. 23 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of thepresent invention.

[0041]FIG. 24 is a sectional view taken on line 24-24 of FIG. 23.

[0042]FIG. 25 is, in plan view, a further embodiment of the rideposition latching mechanism of the swivel mount of the presentinvention.

[0043]FIG. 26 is, in partially cut-away perspective view, the rideposition latch mechanism of FIG. 25.

[0044]FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view along line 27-27 in FIG. 26.

[0045]FIG. 28 is a partially cut-away cross-sectional view of analternative embodiment ride position latch releasing mechanismcorresponding to the view of FIG. 27.

[0046]FIG. 29 is, in partially cut-away perspective view, a furtheralternative embodiment of the forward-walking position resistancemechanism of FIG. 25.

[0047]FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 30-30 in FIG.29.

[0048]FIG. 31 is, in partially cut away plan view, a board brakingmechanism mounted to a swivel plate according to the present inventionwhen rotated into a forward walking position.

[0049]FIG. 32 is the view of FIG. 31 with the swivel plate rotated intothe in-line forward-walking position.

[0050]FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional view along line 33-33 in FIG. 31.

[0051] FIGS. 34-36 correspond to FIGS. 31-33 in an embodiment where thebraking mechanism is mounted to the binding.

[0052]FIG. 37 is, in partially cut-away perspective view, a furtherembodiment of the ride position latch of the swivel mount of the presentinvention.

[0053]FIG. 38 is a partially cut-away cross-sectional view along line38-38 in FIG. 37.

[0054]FIG. 39 is, in partially cut-away perspective view, a furtheralternative embodiment of the present invention in the ride position.

[0055]FIG. 40 is the swivel mount of FIG. 39 in a forward-walkingposition.

[0056]FIG. 41 is, in enlarged partially cut-away perspective view, analternative embodiment of a ride position latch release.

[0057]FIG. 42 is a sectional view along line 42-42 in FIG. 41.

[0058]FIG. 43 is the latch release of FIG. 42 releasing the latch.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0059] As used herein, reference to snowboard or board is meant toinclude all forms of riding boards whether for use on snow, or on softor hard terrain, flat or rough, whether the board slides on itsunder-surface or rolls on wheels, tracks or other conveyor means.Further, as used herein, reference to a user's forward foot or rearwardfoot or reference to a forward binding or rearward binding are intendedto be interchangeable. That is, although described in relation to thenormal situation where a user removes the rear foot from the rearbinding during use of an uphill lift or during flat terrain translation,the scope of the present invention is intended also to cover thereverse, where a user instead removes a forward foot from the forwardbinding.

[0060] As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, swivel mount 10 is mounted to uppersurface 12 a of a board 12 at the location where the forward binding 14is to be mounted. Mount 10 has a relatively low side-on profile so as tobe raised only minimally above upper surface 12 a. A user may choose tosecure a disk shaped spacer (not shown) of similar thickness beneath therear binding to provide a level stance.

[0061] As seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, connector 10 includes in one embodimenta swivel housing 16 which may be mounted to snowboard 12 by screws 16 a.Swivel housing 16 has a base 18 and an upstanding annular perimeter wall20 which define a cavity 22 therebetween. Perimeter wall 20 is formedwith annular shoulder 20 a on its exterior surface. This results in aslightly recessed upstanding annular collar portion 20 b. Slot 24 inwall 20 is positioned between base 18 and shoulder 20 a, parallel to thebase.

[0062] A swivel plate 30 is rotatably mounted within cavity 22 ofhousing 16. A locking lever 32 projects laterally outward from plate 30.Locking lever 32, which in all embodiments of locking levers or armsherein may be manufactured from a resilient material such as springsteel or robust plastic, extends outward through slot 24 formed inperimeter wall 20. Swivel plate 30 is formed with an inwardly turnedannular shoulder 30 a on the exterior surface, which results in anannular outer surface 30 b defining an upper planar surface 33. Theupper edge of wall 20 extends slightly above annular shoulder 30 a onswivel plate 30. Upper planar face 33 has a plurality of threaded holes34 enabling binding 14 to be rigidly bolted thereto. A recess 35 may beformed on the underside of swivel plate 30 to reduce surface areacontact with base 18.

[0063] A locking ring 36 having an annular upper surface 36 a and acontiguous annular depending sidewall 36 b is mounted over swivelhousing 16. Depending sidewall 36 b slides over recessed upstandingannular collar portion 20 b formed on perimeter wall 20 of swivelhousing 16 until sidewall 36 b contacts annular shoulder 20 a and theupper face 33 of cylindrical swivel plate 30 projects slightly outwardlyof upper surface 36 a of locking ring 36. Locking ring 36 is secured tohousing 16 with setscrews 38. Annular upper surface 36 a extendsradially inwardly so as to be in proximity to annular outer surface 30 bof swivel plate 30 to inhibit snow and moisture incursion.

[0064] As seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, perimeter wall 20 has at least oneprimary detent 40 at a first end of slot 24 and a plurality of secondarydetents or protrusions 40 a formed at the opposite second end of slot24. Although only two primary detents 40 are illustrated, this is notintended to be limiting as it may be desirable to have more than merelyone or two latching ride positions. Thus in all of the embodimentsherein, it is expressly intended to be within the scope of the inventionto include a plurality of ride position latches, radially spaced fromone another, to allow for a user to select a desirable or comfortableride position.

[0065] Locking lever 32 has oppositely disposed arcuately curved arms 44and 44 a which extend laterally outward of the lever, adjacent to wall20. A pawl 48 projects from the distal end of each of the arms forfirmly engaging detents 40 and 40 a. Pawl 48 on arm 44 engages primarydetent 40. Pawl 48 on arm 44 a engages secondary detents 40 a. Becausebinding 14 is mounted to swivel plate 30, rotating lever 32 so as toengage pawls 48 with either detents 40 or 40 a also correspondinglyrotates binding 14. Thus the binding may be rotated by a user so as tolatch into a ride position when pawl 48 on arm 44 is mated behindprimary detent 40. Reference to the ride position herein connotes thenormal angular orientation of bindings 14 for riding on the board, thatis, substantially or generally perpendicular to longitudinal axis A′.

[0066]FIG. 5 illustrates binding 14 (in dotted outline) positioned at anangle ∝ relative to the longitudinal axis A′ of the snowboard 12. Pawl48 on arm 44 is latched behind detent 40. Again, this angularorientation of binding 14 relative to board 12 is intended to indicatethe normal “ride” position of a user's foot when the user is riding onthe board with the user's foot mounted to the board by the binding.Unintended rotation in direction B of binding 14 out of the rideposition, so as to point the foot of the user toward the front of theboard along longitudinal axis A′ of snowboard 12, i.e., so as to reduceangle ∝, is prevented by the engagement of pawl 48 on arm 44 with detent40. Rotation of binding 14 toward the longitudinal axis of snowboard 12,is enabled by deflecting or bending or flexing locking lever 32 indirection B so as to rotate the binding about rotation axis B′. This maybe accomplished for example by pushing against or kicking the radiallyoutwardly distal end of lever 32 in direction B, against the inherentreturn biasing resiliency of the material such as spring steel fromwhich the lever is manufactured. Where a plurality of primary detents 40are provided radially spaced apart on wall 20, the user may select thedesired primary detent so as to select a desired angle for theside-forward stance ride position.

[0067] To ease mobility on the board when not riding, for example whenon relatively flat terrain, or for example in the vicinity of thechairlift boarding or dismount area, or for use in association with aT-bar lift, and without entirely removing the board from the user'sfeet, normally only the user's rear foot is removed, that is, extractedfrom the rear binding. This frees the rear foot of the user to engage,for example by kicking in direction B, the distal end of locking lever32. Lever 32 is kicked on the side opposite to the intended direction ofrotation of binding 14. When kicked, lever 32 is deformed so as torotate pawl 48 radially outwardly of wall 20, to free latched contact ofpawl 48 with detent 40. Using either or both of the initial kickingforce and continued foot pressure against lever 32, binding 14 andswivel plate 30 are then further rotated in direction B to the toeforward or forward-walking positions or orientations of FIG. 6 whereangle ∝ is reduced from the ride position to an acute angle. Theavailable range of motion will depend on the desired range of angularrotation desired for use in the forward walking positions as describedbetter below.

[0068] In the forward-walking positions the user's forward foot andankle in binding 14 is under less angular strain than in the rideposition when the rear foot is used to peddle for forward motion.Accordingly, the detent and pawl securing binding 14 in theforward-walking positions need not provide, and it is not desirable thatthey provide, the same degree of angular retention or resistance torotation as the corresponding detent and pawl for retention of thebinding in the ride position. As illustrated, detents 40 a are rounded,permitting rotation of binding 14 in a direction opposite to direction Bwithout the need for foot pressure using the rear foot against lockinglever 32, that is, permitting rotation of binding 14 towards the rideposition solely due to the force exerted by the user in rotating theforward foot so as to either adjust to the desired angle ∝ in theforward-walking position or to return the binding to latch into theboard riding position.

[0069] Alternative embodiments for partially impeding or resisting thefree-floating rotation of swivel plate 30 relative to the board oncepawl 48 on locking lever 32 is freed from latched engagement behinddetent 40, and for retaining the swivel plate in a desiredforward-walking position, are illustrated in FIGS. 7 through 17, FIGS.23 through 30, and FIGS. 37 through 43.

[0070] As seen in FIG. 7, lever 80, integrally formed with swivel plate80 a, has been rotated slightly in direction B by impact from the user'srear foot (not shown). The impact has resulted in a flexure of lever 80,so as to disengage pawl 82 from detent 84 mounted on lower plate 86. Inthis position further rotation in direction B, toward theforward-walking positions, is accomplished by a twisting motion indirection B of the user's forward foot (not shown), i.e. the foot heldwithin binding 14 when mounted on swivel plate 80 a.

[0071] Arm 90 extends from locking lever 80 in the plane of swivel plate80 a. Arm 90 extends arcuately, generally in the direction of rotationB. Arm 90 has formed on its underside an array of recesses 92 (shown indotted outline) which engage, so as to mate with, a protrusion or pawl94 projecting from the upper surface of lower plate 86. Protrusion 94may as seen in FIG. 8 be in the form of a cavity 94 a containing asphere, such as a ball bearing, 96. Sphere 96 may be urged by spring 98so as to project slightly from the open end of cavity 94 a above theupper surface of lower plate 86. Otherwise protrusion 94 may be a rigidprojection or bump relying on the resiliency of arm 90 to allow slidingof the recesses into mating engagement with the projection or bump. Asdescribed herein, any protrusion, ball, sphere, bump or rigid projectionintended to engage a mating recess or array of recesses, may also becollectively referred to as a pawl.

[0072] Engagement of sphere 96 with any one of recesses 92 impedes thefree rotation of swivel plate 80 a as the swivel plate is rotatedthrough the arc defined by the length of the array of recesses 92. Thiscoincides with the desired arc of the forward-walking positions ofbinding 14. Thus in the forward walking positions, the swivelling ofswivel plate 80 a and hence the orientation of the forward foot may beselected, and actively adjusted by the user to a comfortable toe forwardorientation.

[0073] In FIGS. 9 and 10 the arrangement of recesses 92 and protrusion94 is reversed. Arm 90 contains protrusion 94. In this embodiment,sphere 96 is urged by spring 98 to project slightly from the undersideof arm 90 to resiliently engage recesses 92 formed on the upper surfaceof lower plate 86.

[0074] As seen in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, arm 90extends from locking lever 80 at a radius from the rotation axis B′which exceeds the radius of the outer edge of bottom plate 86. Aslocking lever 80 and arm 90 are rotated in direction B, protrusion 94mounted on the upper surface of board 12 will be engaged. Sphere 96engages recesses 92 on the underside of arm 90 to partially impede orlend resistance to the free-floating rotation of swivel plate 80 a aboutaxis B′.

[0075] Illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14 is an embodiment where arm 90 andlocking lever 80 are integrally formed with the sole of binding 100 soas to project radially outwardly therefrom. Arm 90 has an array ofrecesses 92 formed on its underside. Rotation of the bindings 100, indirection B, brings the circular trajectory of arm 90 into alignmentwith protrusion 94 projecting from the upper surface of board 12.Frictional engagement of any one of the array of recesses 92 with sphere96 partially impedes or resists the free-floating rotation of thebinding and swivel plate relative to the base plate.

[0076] In FIGS. 15 and 16 recess 102 formed adjacent to detent 84frictionally engages convolutions 104 in opposed facing relation on theend of lever 80 adjacent swivel plate 80 a. Detent 84 is rigidly mountedto board 12 and pawl 82 must be rotated past recess 102, in direction B,before convolutions 104 are brought into engagement so as to mate insuccession with recess 102 as the swivel plate and binding are rotatedthrough the radial arc comprising the forward-walking positions.

[0077]FIG. 17 illustrates the device of FIGS. 15 and 16 formed as partof a binding 100. Binding 100 may be molded around a portion of lever 80such as elongated arm 106. It is expressly intended to be within thescope of the present invention that the swivel plate may be a separatecomponent or an integral component integrally mounted or formed withinthe forward binding.

[0078]FIGS. 18 and 19 illustrate an alternative form of locking detent84 for lever 80. In this form, detent 84′ is formed on a rotatable cliplatch 108 mountable either to lower plate 86 or to the upper surface ofthe board. In the closed position, clip latch 108 clamps or grips aportion, for example the end of lever 80, to retain binding 14 in theride position. Clip 108 may be resiliently urged by a spring (not shown)to its closed position.

[0079]FIGS. 20 through 22 illustrate optional spring operated brake armsintended to prevent dismounted boards from careening downhill. Arun-away board on a steep slope may attain a speed which may causeserious injury should the board collide with a person, or damage to theboard should it strike a solid object.

[0080]FIG. 20 illustrates a brake mechanism 110 which is pivotallymounted to a board adjacent to a binding, for example a binding 100.Brake 110 is held in a retracted position, as shown in broken lines, bysecuring the free end of a flexible tether 112 to a lace of a boot.Tether 112 may be resilient such as of elastic cord. Upon release oftether 112 from the boot lace, as would be the case when the user stepsout of binding 100, spring action pivots brake mechanism 110 to thedeployed position illustrated in solid lines. Brake arm 114 issufficiently long so that, in the deployed position, the downwardlyprojecting distal end portion of brake arm 114 extends sufficientlybelow the underside of the board to dig into the surface over which theboard is riding to inhibit run-away of the board.

[0081] In FIGS. 21 and 22 an alternative spring loaded braking mechanism120 is shown having a pressure paddle 122 at one end of a rotatableshaft 124 and a brake arm 126 at the opposite end. Paddle 122 is rotatedto elevate brake arm 126 so that paddle 122 lies within a heel cut-awayportion of the binding. Placement of a foot within the binding maintainsbrake arm 126 in the elevated position. Removal of the foot from thebinding allows 180 degree rotation of paddle 122 and brake arm 126 byaction of spring 128 to extend the end portion of arm 126 below theunderside of the board to dig into the terrain surface.

[0082] Illustrated in FIGS. 23 and 24 is an embodiment whichincorporates an integrally formed resistance device 130 within the soleof binding 100. Rotation of the binding in direction B brings sphere 96,protruding from resistance device 130, into arcuate alignment withrecesses 132 on bar 134. Bar 134 is rigidly mounted on the upper surfaceof the board. Engagement of any one of the series of recesses 132 withspring-loaded sphere 96 partially impedes the free-floating rotation ofthe binding without fixedly locking rotation so that manual interventionby hand is needed to adjust the forward-walking position.

[0083] FIGS. 25-27 illustrate a further alternative embodiment of theswivel mount ride position latch mechanism. In particular, arm 140extends resiliently from swivel plate 142 for rotation in direction B soas to rotate binding 14 relative to snowboard 12. Arm 140 is illustratedlatched in the ride position, the distal end of arm 140 releasablysnugly mated between opposed facing wedges 144 a and 144 b. Wedges 144 aand 144 b are rigidly mounted to board 12 for example by fasteners suchas bolts or screws 146. Arm 140 may be unlatched from mating engagementbetween wedges 144 a and 144 b by a user lifting the distal end of arm140 against the return resilient biasing force of the arm, so as to liftit above the uppermost edge of 144 a thereby allowing rotation of arm140 in direction B over wedge 144 a. Lifting of arm 140 may be done by auser grasping and pulling upwardly on knob 146. The use of knob 146 isnot intended to be limiting and in a further embodiment is replaced byfoot actuable device, for example where knob 146 is replaced by a toecup (shown in dotted outline as a cut-away from the knob) mounted to thedistal end of arm 140. In this embodiment the rear foot of the user maybe used to engage the toe cup and then simply lift the toe cup with therear foot so as to disengage arm 140 from wedge 144 a allowing the rearfoot of the user to then urge arm 140 in direction B so as to rotatebinding 14 into the forward-walking positions.

[0084] In the forward-walking positions, a downward protrusion from arm140, for example spring loaded ball 148, engages recesses 150 in curvedbar 152 mounted to board 12. The resilient mating engagement of theprotrusion such as spring loaded ball 148 from the bottom of arm 140resiliently mates with recesses 150 as binding 14 is rotated indirection B by the rotation of the forward foot of the user and byreason also of any rotational momentum imparted by the rear foot of theuser if used to unlatch arm 140 from the ride position.

[0085] It is to be understood that whether the downward protrusion fromarm 140 is resiliently mated with recesses 150 because of the resilientbending of arm 140 or the resilient compression of spring 154 withinhousing 156, the end result is that the relative position of binding 14relative to board 12 may be adjusted by manual rotation of the user'sforward foot so that the user may adjust into a comfortableforward-walking position depending on whether the user is forwardlytranslating by pedalling with the free rear foot, or exiting from achair lift down an inclined ramp or otherwise in transit wheretemporarily the terrain is downwardly inclined so that the user may rideon the board, the terrain such that intermittent pedalling is stillneeded. Thus the user may quickly shift from a comfortable in-lineforward-walking position to an angularly offset forward translatingposition while still remaining within the forward-walking range ofpositions.

[0086] During forward translation, when not pedalling, the rear foot maybe placed on the board for example between the forward and rearbindings. Typically a no-slip pad is installed on the board between thebindings expressly for temporary frictional engagement between the boardand the rear foot of the user.

[0087] Collectively herein, all of the so-called forward-walkingpositions, including the straight in-line position which is perhaps themost comfortable for forward transit using the rear foot to pedal theboard in a forward motion, and what is described herein loosely aswithin an acute angle from the in-line position, are all encompassedwithin the generic term forward-walking positions. Consequently a user,once un-latched from the ride position, may enter the range offorward-walking positions immediately radially adjacent the rideposition. Thus when exiting a chairlift the user may, for example whileon the chairlift, have positioned the forward foot and binding into aposition very close to the ride position. This gives the user a familiarride feel when riding down the off ramp. Once off the ramp, the user maythen latch into the ride position for downhill riding.

[0088] Thus the latch mechanism for holding binding 14 in the rideposition will be located in a radial position relative to the swivelplate so as to not interfere with the resilient engagement of therotational resistance mechanism engaged in the forward-walkingpositions. The latch mechanism also should not protrude from the boardsurface so as not to interfere with use of the board while either ridingor translating when the binding is in the forward-walking positions.Consequently, where the ride position latch mechanism is an armprotruding from the swivel plate, generally the arm will be positionedradially spaced from the rotational resistance mechanism in theforward-walking positions. Thus as seen in FIGS. 29 and 30, theforward-walking position resistance mechanism includes curved bars 158extending from arm 140, each bar 158 having recesses 160 on its undersurface so as to engage a protrusion protruding upwardly from board 12such as spring loaded ball 162.

[0089] As seen in FIG. 28, a foot operated release such as rocker arm164 may be mounted to board 12 and employed to release arm 140 frombetween wedges 144 a and 144 b. Thus, with cantilevered end 164 a ofrocker arm 164 positioned between the wedges and underneath the distalend of arm 140 when latched in the ride position, the rear foot of theuser may be used to press down on upturned end 164 b about fulcrum mount166 so as to engage cantilevered end 164 a with the underside of arm140. This elevates the distal end of arm 140 above wedge 144 a allowingfor rotation of the binding in direction B from the ride position intothe forward-walking positions.

[0090] FIGS. 31-33 illustrate a board braking mechanism 170 mounted toswivel plate 172. The brake mechanism has a resiliently urged arm 174pivotally mounted for example for pivotal movement about spring 176relative to base member 178 on swivel plate 172. Within the range oftypical ride positions such as illustrated in FIGS. 31 and 32, basemember 178 extends from beneath binding 14 so as to dispose arm 174 fordeployment over the left hand edge 12 b of snowboard 12.

[0091] Arm 174 may, without intending to be limiting, be bent into aZ-shape so that when foot pressure of a user's forward foot in binding14 is removed from pressing down on end 174 a of arm 174, spring 176then resiliently urges the opposite end 174 b away from binding 14 intoa downwardly disposed position engaging the terrain beneath board 12.

[0092] In FIGS. 34-36, arm 174 operates in a similar fashion to theembodiment of FIGS. 31-33, but is however mounted directly to binding 14instead of mounted to swivel plate 172.

[0093] In the embodiment of FIGS. 37 and 38, arm 140 on swivel plate 172is latched in the ride position within slide housing 180. The cavitywithin slide housing 180 captures the distal end of arm 140 when slidehousing 180 is slid radially inwardly relative to swivel plate 172 alonglinear track 182 formed within rigid member 184 extending from base 18.In the embodiment illustrated, the forward-walking position resistancemechanism includes upwardly protruding pawls such as bumps orprotrusions 186 in a curved array so as to engage a corresponding recess188 formed on the underside of arm 140 as arm 140 is rotated indirection B from the ride position into the forward-walking positions.As before, it is not intended to be limiting that the pawl protrusionsare mounted on the base plate and the recess on the swivel plate, as itis intended to be within the scope of the present invention that therecesses may be formed in the base plate and the pawl protrusion formating with the recesses be formed on the swivel plate.

[0094] As seen in FIGS. 39 and 40, kick arm 200 has rigidly mounted atits distal end a kick plate 202. The radially inward end of kick arm 200is mounted to swivel plate 204 by resilient flex arm 206. The amount offlexing of flex arm 206 when kick plate 202 is kicked by a user's rearfoot is limited by stop arm 208 engaging the base arm 210 extending fromthe swivel plate.

[0095] Ride position latch pawl 212 protrudes radially inwardly from theinner end of kick arm 200 so as to engage one of the ride positiondetents 214 on the detent member 215 mounted to base plate 18. When kickarm 200 is rotated so as to engage latch pawl 212 with one of detents214, over-rotation of kick arm 200 is prevented by stop 216 mounted tobase 18. The user selects which detent 214 to use, for example which ismost comfortable or best suited to the desired board riding.

[0096] When kick arm 200 has been rotated in direction B from the rideposition to the forward-walking position, pawl 218 mounted on the end offlex arm 220 engages a radially spaced array of recesses, convolutions,corrugations or teeth 222 radially spaced around base 18.

[0097] Flange 224 extends rigidly from swivel plate 204 so as to engagestop 226 as binding 14 on swivel plate 204 is rotated into the in-lineforward-walking position.

[0098] A secondary flex arm 228 may be provided which extends from theradially innermost end of kick arm 200. Secondary pawl 230 is mounted atthe distal end of secondary flex arm 228 so as to engage a protrusionmounted to base plate 18 or board 12 such as detent 214. Secondary pawl230 is radially spaced on secondary flex arm 228 so that, as kick arm200 is rotating in direction B, secondary pawl 230 disengages fromdetent 214 once pawl 218 is in engagement with teeth 222, that is,begins rotating through the forward-walking positions. Secondary pawl230 thus provides tactile feedback to the user indicating for examplethe mid-range or the end of range of motion in the forward-walkingpositions. Pawl 230 may further provide a resiliently biased increase inrotational resistance as swivel plate is rotated in a direction oppositeto direction B to indicate to the user that the binding has been rotatedto, for example, the mid-range or the limit of travel within theforward-walking positions. If the user then desires to continue rotationof the binding so as to return to the ride position, the slightlyincreased rotational resistance provided by secondary pawl riding overdetent 214 is overcome by the user deliberately twisting the forwardfoot.

[0099] In the embodiment of FIGS. 41-43, arm 140 on swivel plate 142 inthe ride position is again mated behind wedge 144 a. In this embodimenthowever, instead of the use of a knob 146 or toe cup, or the use of arocker arm to release the distal end of arm 140 from being latched inthe ride position behind wedge 144 a, a rocker arm 190 is mounted to arm140 for example by means of hinge 192 so as to extend over wedge 144 afor rotation about axis C. Rocker arm 190 may be resiliently urged downonto wedges 144 a by a spring (not shown). Rocker arm 190 has at itsopposite end to hinge 192 an upturned toe catch 194 so that a forceapplied downwardly on toe catch 194 rotates rocker arm 190 about axis D,being the pivot point of fulcrum 196 resting on wedge 144 a. Rotation ofrocker arm 190 about fulcrum 196 elevates arm 140 above wedge 144 a soas to release arm 140 from latched engagement in the ride positionbehind wedge 144 a.

[0100] Thus for a user to unlatch binding 14 from the ride position, thetoe of the user's rear foot may be used to engage toe catch 194 so as toboth rotate rocker arm 190 about fulcrum 196 and, once arm 140 isreleased from behind wedge 144 a, to slide rocker arm 190 and thus arm140 in direction B thereby assisting the rotation of binding 14 into theforward-walking positions. The pressing down onto toe catch 194 may be adiscrete first movement by the user's rear foot then followed by asliding of the rocker arm in direction B, or the movement by the user'srear foot may be a combined pressing down and sliding, for example so asto direct a force applied by the user's rear foot in direction A′ tosimultaneously rotate rocker arm 190 freeing arm 140 and rotating arm140 in direction B by reason of the force vector component in directionA.

[0101] As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light ofthe foregoing disclosure, many alterations and modifications arepossible in the practice of this invention without departing from thespirit or scope thereof. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is tobe construed in accordance with the substance defined by the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A swivel mount for a board binding comprising: abase mountable to an upper surface of a board, a swivel plate rotatablymounted on said base for relative swivelling rotation of said swivelplate relative to said base between a ride position and forward-walkingpositions, wherein when said binding is mounted on said swivel plate andsaid swivel plate is in said ride position said binding is orientedgenerally perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of said board, andwherein when said binding is mounted on said swivel plate and saidswivel plate is in said forward-walking positions, said forward-walkingpositions extending in a radial arc radially spaced from said rideposition, said binding is oriented to point a user's first foot in saidbinding toward a front end of said board so as to generally form anacute angle between said binding and said longitudinal axis of saidboard, a non-locking, non free-floating rotational resistance meanscooperating between said swivel plate and said base for increasingrotational resistance above that of free-floating rotation but withoutlocking of said swivel plate in a preset locking position whenswivelling said swivel plate through said radial arc, said rotationalresistance means providing resistance of a level between free-floatingrotation having substantially no resistance to rotation, and lockingrotational resistance requiring unlocking by a user's hand or secondfoot to permit rotation, at least one ride position latch for releasablylocking said swivel plate in said ride position relative to said baseupon rotational urging by said user's first foot when said first foot isin said binding and said binding mounted to said swivel plate so as toreturn said swivel plate from said forward-walking positions to saidride position, an actuator for releasing said ride position latch,wherein said actuator is actuated by a force applied by said second footin a first direction urging said swivel plate to swivel from said rideposition to said forward-walking positions.
 2. The swivel mount of claim1 wherein said actuator comprises a flexible arm flexibly mounted tosaid swivel plate, said flexible arm having a force receiving member ata first distal end thereof, said first distal end extending generallyradially outwardly of said swivel plate.
 3. The swivel mount of claim 2wherein said ride position latch comprises a first pawl mounted on saidflexible arm and a detent member fixedly mounted relative to said uppersurface of said board, said detent member forming a detent, said firstpawl for releasably engaging said detent so as to releasably lock saidswivel plate in said ride position, said flexible arm actuable by aforce applied generally in said first direction so as to flex relativeto said swivel plate to thereby release said pawl from said engagementwith said detent.
 4. The swivel mount of claim 2 wherein said rideposition latch comprises a detent member fixedly mounted relative tosaid upper surface of said board, said detent member forming a detent,said flexible arm releasably engaging said detent so as to releasablylock said swivel plate in said ride position.
 5. The swivel mount ofclaim 4 wherein said force receiving member, upon receiving a forceapplied thereto, flexes said flexible arm so as to disengage saidflexible arm from said detent.
 6. The swivel mount of claim 5 whereinsaid force receiving member is a lever for disengaging said flexible armfrom said detent by flexing said flexible arm out of a plane containingsaid swivel plate.
 7. The swivel mount of claim 6 wherein said lever isa rocker arm having a fulcrum engaging an upper surface of said detentmember forming said detent.
 8. The swivel mount of claim 2 wherein saidforce receiving member is a rigid kick plate.
 9. The swivel mount ofclaim 3 wherein said force receiving member is a rigid kick plate. 10.The swivel mount of claim 1 wherein said resistance means comprises asecond pawl and an array of pawl receivers lying in a rotationaltrajectory of said second pawl for mating with said second pawl.
 11. Theswivel mount of claim 2 wherein said resistance means comprises a secondpawl and an array of pawl receivers lying in a rotational trajectory ofsaid second pawl for mating with said second pawl.
 12. The swivel mountof claim 3 wherein said resistance means comprises a second pawl and anarray of pawl receivers lying in a rotational trajectory of said secondpawl for mating with said second pawl.
 13. The swivel mount of claim 4wherein said resistance means comprises a second pawl and an array ofpawl receivers lying in a rotational trajectory of said second pawl formating with said second pawl.
 14. The swivel mount of claim 5 whereinsaid resistance means comprises a second pawl and an array of pawlreceivers lying in a rotational trajectory of said second pawl formating with said second pawl.
 15. The swivel mount of claim 6 whereinsaid resistance means comprises a second pawl and an array of pawlreceivers lying in a rotational trajectory of said second pawl formating with said second pawl.
 16. The swivel mount of claim 7 whereinsaid resistance means comprises a second pawl and an array of pawlreceivers lying in a rotational trajectory of said second pawl formating with said second pawl.
 17. The swivel mount of claim 8 whereinsaid resistance means comprises a second pawl and an array of pawlreceivers lying in a rotational trajectory of said second pawl formating with said second pawl.
 18. The swivel mount of claim 9 whereinsaid resistance means comprises a second pawl and an array of pawlreceivers lying in a rotational trajectory of said second pawl formating with said second pawl.
 19. The swivel mount of claim 10 whereinsaid second pawl is mounted on said swivel plate, and said array of pawlreceivers is formed in said base.
 20. The swivel mount of claim 11wherein said second pawl is mounted on said swivel plate, and said arrayof pawl receivers is formed in said base.
 21. The swivel mount of claim12 wherein said second pawl is mounted on said swivel plate, and saidarray of pawl receivers is formed in said base.
 22. The swivel mount ofclaim 13 wherein said second pawl is mounted on said swivel plate, andsaid array of pawl receivers is formed in said base.
 23. The swivelmount of claim 14 wherein said second pawl is mounted on said swivelplate, and said array of pawl receivers is formed in said base.
 24. Theswivel mount of claim 15 wherein said second pawl is mounted on saidswivel plate, and said array of pawl receivers is formed in said base.25. The swivel mount of claim 16 wherein said second pawl is mounted onsaid swivel plate, and said array of pawl receivers is formed in saidbase.
 26. The swivel mount of claim 17 wherein said second pawl ismounted on said swivel plate, and said array of pawl receivers is formedin said base.
 27. The swivel mount of claim 18 wherein said second pawlis mounted on said swivel plate, and said array of pawl receivers isformed in said base.
 28. The swivel mount of claim 10 wherein saidsecond pawl is mounted on said base and said array of pawl receivers isformed in said swivel plate.
 29. The swivel mount of claim 11 whereinsaid second pawl is mounted on said base and said array of pawlreceivers is formed in said swivel plate.
 30. The swivel mount of claim12 wherein said second pawl is mounted on said base and said array ofpawl receivers is formed in said swivel plate.
 31. The swivel mount ofclaim 13 wherein said second pawl is mounted on said base and said arrayof pawl receivers is formed in said swivel plate.
 32. The swivel mountof claim 14 wherein said second pawl is mounted on said base and saidarray of pawl receivers is formed in said swivel plate.
 33. The swivelmount of claim 15 wherein said second pawl is mounted on said base andsaid array of pawl receivers is formed in said swivel plate.
 34. Theswivel mount of claim 16 wherein said second pawl is mounted on saidbase and said array of pawl receivers is formed in said swivel plate.35. The swivel mount of claim 17 wherein said second pawl is mounted onsaid base and said array of pawl receivers is formed in said swivelplate.
 36. The swivel mount of claim 18 wherein said second pawl ismounted on said base and said array of pawl receivers is formed in saidswivel plate.
 37. The swivel mount of claim 10 wherein said second pawlis mounted on said actuator and said array of pawl receivers is formedon said base.
 38. The swivel mount of claim 11 wherein said second pawlis mounted on said flexible arm and said array of pawl receivers isformed on said base.
 39. The swivel mount of claim 12 wherein saidsecond pawl is mounted on said flexible arm and said array of pawlreceivers is formed on said base.
 40. The swivel mount of claim 13wherein said second pawl is mounted on said flexible arm and said arrayof pawl receivers is formed on said base.
 41. The swivel mount of claim14 wherein said second pawl is mounted on said flexible arm and saidarray of pawl receivers is formed on said base.
 42. The swivel mount ofclaim 15 wherein said second pawl is mounted on said flexible arm andsaid array of pawl receivers is formed on said base.
 43. The swivelmount of claim 16 wherein said second pawl is mounted on said flexiblearm and said array of pawl receivers is formed on said base.
 44. Theswivel mount of claim 17 wherein said second pawl is mounted on saidflexible arm and said array of pawl receivers is formed on said base.45. The swivel mount of claim 18 wherein said second pawl is mounted onsaid flexible arm and said array of pawl receivers is formed on saidbase.
 46. The swivel mount of claim 10 wherein said second pawl ismounted on said base and said array of pawl receivers is formed on saidactuator.
 47. The swivel mount of claim 11 wherein said second pawl ismounted on said base and said array of pawl receivers is formed on saidflexible arm.
 48. The swivel mount of claim 12 wherein said second pawlis mounted on said base and said array of pawl receivers is formed onsaid flexible arm.
 49. The swivel mount of claim 13 wherein said secondpawl is mounted on said base and said array of pawl receivers is formedon said flexible arm.
 50. The swivel mount of claim 14 wherein saidsecond pawl is mounted on said base and said array of pawl receivers isformed on said flexible arm.
 51. The swivel mount of claim 15 whereinsaid second pawl is mounted on said base and said array of pawlreceivers is formed on said flexible arm.
 52. The swivel mount of claim16 wherein said second pawl is mounted on said base and said array ofpawl receivers is formed on said flexible arm.
 53. The swivel mount ofclaim 17 wherein said second pawl is mounted on said base and said arrayof pawl receivers is formed on said flexible arm.
 54. The swivel mountof claim 18 wherein said second pawl is mounted on said base and saidarray of pawl receivers is formed on said flexible arm.
 55. The swivelmount of claim 3 wherein said detent member is mountable to said board.56. The swivel mount of claim 4 wherein said detent member is mountableto said board.
 57. The swivel mount of claim 5 wherein said detentmember is mountable to said board.
 58. The swivel mount of claim 3wherein said detent member is mounted to said base.
 59. The swivel mountof claim 4 wherein said detent member is mounted to said base.
 60. Theswivel mount of claim 5 wherein said detent member is mounted to saidbase.
 61. A swivel mount for a board binding comprising: a basemountable to an upper surface of a board, a swivel plate mounted to saidbinding and rotatably mounted on said base for relative swivellingrotation of said swivel plate relative to said base between a rideposition and forward-walking positions, wherein when said swivel plateis in said ride position, said binding is oriented generallyperpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of said board, and wherein whensaid swivel plate is in said forward-walking positions, saidforward-walking positions extending in a radial arc radially spaced fromsaid ride position, said binding is oriented to point a user's firstfoot in said binding toward a front end of said board so as to generallyform an acute angle between said binding and said longitudinal axis ofsaid board, a non-locking, non free-floating rotational resistance meanscooperating between said swivel plate and said base for increasingrotational resistance above that of free-floating rotation but withoutlocking of said swivel plate in a preset locking position whenswivelling said swivel plate through said radial arc, said rotationalresistance means providing resistance of a level between free-floatingrotation having substantially no resistance to rotation, and lockingrotational resistance requiring unlocking by a user's hand or secondfoot to permit rotation, at least one ride position latch for releasablylocking said swivel plate in said ride position relative to said baseupon rotational urging by said user's first foot when said first foot isin said binding so as to return said swivel plate from saidforward-walking positions to said ride position, an actuator forreleasing said ride position latch, wherein said actuator is actuated bya force applied by said second foot in a first direction urging saidswivel plate to swivel from said ride position to said forward-walkingpositions.
 62. The swivel mount of claim 61 wherein said actuatorcomprises a flexible arm flexibly mounted to said swivel plate, saidflexible arm having a force receiving member at a first distal endthereof, said first distal end extending generally radially outwardly ofsaid swivel plate.
 63. The swivel mount of claim 62 wherein said rideposition latch comprises a first pawl mounted on said flexible arm and adetent member fixedly mounted relative to said upper surface of saidboard, said detent member forming a detent, said first pawl forreleasably engaging said detent so as to releasably lock said swivelplate in said ride position, said flexible arm actuable by a forceapplied generally in said first direction so as to flex relative to saidswivel plate to thereby release said pawl from said engagement with saiddetent.
 64. The swivel mount of claim 62 wherein said ride positionlatch comprises a detent member fixedly mounted relative to said uppersurface of said board, said detent member forming a detent, saidflexible arm releasably engaging said detent so as to releasably locksaid swivel plate in said ride position.
 65. The swivel mount of claim64 wherein said force receiving member, upon receiving a force appliedthereto, flexes said flexible arm so as to disengage said flexible armfrom said detent.
 66. The swivel mount of claim 65 wherein said forcereceiving member is a lever for disengaging said flexible arm from saiddetent by flexing said flexible arm out of a plane containing saidswivel plate.
 67. The swivel mount of claim 66 wherein said lever is arocker arm having a fulcrum engaging an upper surface of said detentmember forming said detent.
 68. The swivel mount of claim 62 whereinsaid force receiving member is a rigid kick plate.
 69. The swivel mountof claim 63 wherein said force receiving member is a rigid kick plate.70. The swivel mount of claim 61 wherein said resistance means comprisesa second pawl and an array of pawl receivers lying in a rotationaltrajectory of said second pawl for mating with said second pawl.
 71. Theswivel mount of claim 62 wherein said resistance means comprises asecond pawl and an array of pawl receivers lying in a rotationaltrajectory of said second pawl for mating with said second pawl.
 72. Theswivel mount of claim 63 wherein said resistance means comprises asecond pawl and an array of pawl receivers lying in a rotationaltrajectory of said second pawl for mating with said second pawl.
 73. Theswivel mount of claim 64 wherein said resistance means comprises asecond pawl and an array of pawl receivers lying in a rotationaltrajectory of said second pawl for mating with said second pawl.
 74. Theswivel mount of claim 65 wherein said resistance means comprises asecond pawl and an array of pawl receivers lying in a rotationaltrajectory of said second pawl for mating with said second pawl.
 75. Theswivel mount of claim 66 wherein said resistance means comprises asecond pawl and an array of pawl receivers lying in a rotationaltrajectory of said second pawl for mating with said second pawl.
 76. Theswivel mount of claim 67 wherein said resistance means comprises asecond pawl and an array of pawl receivers lying in a rotationaltrajectory of said second pawl for mating with said second pawl.
 77. Theswivel mount of claim 68 wherein said resistance means comprises asecond pawl and an array of pawl receivers lying in a rotationaltrajectory of said second pawl for mating with said second pawl.
 78. Theswivel mount of claim 69 wherein said resistance means comprises asecond pawl and an array of pawl receivers lying in a rotationaltrajectory of said second pawl for mating with said second pawl.
 79. Theswivel mount of claim 70 wherein said second pawl is mounted on saidswivel plate, and said array of pawl receivers is formed in said base.80. The swivel mount of claim 71 wherein said second pawl is mounted onsaid swivel plate, and said array of pawl receivers is formed in saidbase.
 81. The swivel mount of claim 72 wherein said second pawl ismounted on said swivel plate, and said array of pawl receivers is formedin said base.
 82. The swivel mount of claim 73 wherein said second pawlis mounted on said swivel plate, and said array of pawl receivers isformed in said base.
 83. The swivel mount of claim 74 wherein saidsecond pawl is mounted on said swivel plate, and said array of pawlreceivers is formed in said base.
 84. The swivel mount of claim 75wherein said second pawl is mounted on said swivel plate, and said arrayof pawl receivers is formed in said base.
 85. The swivel mount of claim76 wherein said second pawl is mounted on said swivel plate, and saidarray of pawl receivers is formed in said base.
 86. The swivel mount ofclaim 77 wherein said second pawl is mounted on said swivel plate, andsaid array of pawl receivers is formed in said base.
 87. The swivelmount of claim 78 wherein said second pawl is mounted on said swivelplate, and said array of pawl receivers is formed in said base.
 88. Theswivel mount of claim 70 wherein said second pawl is mounted on saidbase and said array of pawl receivers is formed in said swivel plate.89. The swivel mount of claim 71 wherein said second pawl is mounted onsaid base and said array of pawl receivers is formed in said swivelplate.
 90. The swivel mount of claim 72 wherein said second pawl ismounted on said base and said array of pawl receivers is formed in saidswivel plate.
 91. The swivel mount of claim 73 wherein said second pawlis mounted on said base and said array of pawl receivers is formed insaid swivel plate.
 92. The swivel mount of claim 74 wherein said secondpawl is mounted on said base and said array of pawl receivers is formedin said swivel plate.
 93. The swivel mount of claim 75 wherein saidsecond pawl is mounted on said base and said array of pawl receivers isformed in said swivel plate.
 94. The swivel mount of claim 76 whereinsaid second pawl is mounted on said base and said array of pawlreceivers is formed in said swivel plate.
 95. The swivel mount of claim77 wherein said second pawl is mounted on said base and said array ofpawl receivers is formed in said swivel plate.
 96. The swivel mount ofclaim 78 wherein said second pawl is mounted on said base and said arrayof pawl receivers is formed in said swivel plate.
 97. The swivel mountof claim 70 wherein said second pawl is mounted on said actuator andsaid array of pawl receivers is formed on said base.
 98. The swivelmount of claim 71 wherein said second pawl is mounted on said flexiblearm and said array of pawl receivers is formed on said base.
 99. Theswivel mount of claim 72 wherein said second pawl is mounted on saidflexible arm and said array of pawl receivers is formed on said base.100. The swivel mount of claim 73 wherein said second pawl is mounted onsaid flexible arm and said array of pawl receivers is formed on saidbase.
 101. The swivel mount of claim 74 wherein said second pawl ismounted on said flexible arm and said array of pawl receivers is formedon said base.
 102. The swivel mount of claim 75 wherein said second pawlis mounted on said flexible arm and said array of pawl receivers isformed on said base.
 103. The swivel mount of claim 76 wherein saidsecond pawl is mounted on said flexible arm and said array of pawlreceivers is formed on said base.
 104. The swivel mount of claim 77wherein said second pawl is mounted on said flexible arm and said arrayof pawl receivers is formed on said base.
 105. The swivel mount of claim78 wherein said second pawl is mounted on said flexible arm and saidarray of pawl receivers is formed on said base.
 106. The swivel mount ofclaim 70 wherein said second pawl is mounted on said base and said arrayof pawl receivers is formed on said actuator.
 107. The swivel mount ofclaim 71 wherein said second pawl is mounted on said base and said arrayof pawl receivers is formed on said flexible arm.
 108. The swivel mountof claim 72 wherein said second pawl is mounted on said base and saidarray of pawl receivers is formed on said flexible arm.
 109. The swivelmount of claim 73 wherein said second pawl is mounted on said base andsaid array of pawl receivers is formed on said flexible arm.
 110. Theswivel mount of claim 74 wherein said second pawl is mounted on saidbase and said array of pawl receivers is formed on said flexible arm.111. The swivel mount of claim 75 wherein said second pawl is mounted onsaid base and said array of pawl receivers is formed on said flexiblearm.
 112. The swivel mount of claim 76 wherein said second pawl ismounted on said base and said array of pawl receivers is formed on saidflexible arm.
 113. The swivel mount of claim 77 wherein said second pawlis mounted on said base and said array of pawl receivers is formed onsaid flexible arm.
 114. The swivel mount of claim 78 wherein said secondpawl is mounted on said base and said array of pawl receivers is formedon said flexible arm.
 115. The swivel mount of claim 63 wherein saiddetent member is mountable to said board.
 116. The swivel mount of claim64 wherein said detent member is mountable to said board.
 117. Theswivel mount of claim 65 wherein said detent member is mountable to saidboard.
 118. The swivel mount of claim 63 wherein said detent member ismounted to said base.
 119. The swivel mount of claim 64 wherein saiddetent member is mounted to said base.
 120. The swivel mount of claim 65wherein said detent member is mounted to said base.